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Thursday, August 10, 2017

Penny Dress Around The World

Summer has taken over in our household, and I have to admit that my sewing has slowed down considerably. Which is not to say that I haven't wanted to sew. Luckily I had been invited by the amazing Bettina of Stahlarbeit to join a group of very talented women in sewing a pattern from a new-to-me designer. It's the Penny Dress from Sew Over It.

I'll be the first to admit it - this dress is a real departure from my usual style. Not that I really have one, haha. Though if you were to ask my sister, she might describe it as something along the lines of "shapeless dresses that look like sacks." I think I would reword that to say "loose-fitting, casual clothing with a Japanese vibe." So maybe I do have a style? Anyway, this dress is so feminine and pretty, and presumes a womanly figure that I wasn't sure I would be able to carry it off. The expression on my face here is: "I feel so dorky." Luckily, my older daughter the photographer was very encouraging, and my younger one lent her support, too. (Anyone else feel totally awkward in front of the camera?)

So the dress. I made the UK 8, which was the closest to my measurements. I am a bit smaller than the recommended sizing, but I didn't make any adjustments (live life on the edge, right?). Normally I would be tempted to add some length to the bodice, as I think I have a long torso, and I probably would have had to adjust the shoulders, as I have broad shoulders for my size, but I think with the looser fit, it worked out okay. The wobbly waistband is entirely my doing, as I was not very careful when measuring my elastic. I am going to have to find a cute belt, as some of the other ladies on this tour have done. They look so good!

I had some issues with the button placket, as I couldn't understand at first that part of the facing would be forming the placket. Also, I wasn't expecting the placket to be as narrow as it is. But no matter - after unpicking a couple of times and trying to figure it out, it all worked out fine in the end.

Here I am, pretending that I am in the 1950s. I guess to get the full effect, I should be posing in the kitchen in front of a stove, holding a giant turkey, haha.

The beautiful lawn fabric is from Miss Matatabi. The blue colorway is no longer available, but she still has the pretty light green in stock. I have to admit, I didn't think I could get away with a circle skirt, but I LOVE it and I might have twirled around more than once for these photos.

Now for the fun part! If you want a chance to win a copy of the Penny Dress pattern AND 4 other patterns from Sew Over It (a total of 5 patterns of your choice), just enter the Rafflecopter here:a Rafflecopter giveaway

You definitely don't want to miss all the gorgeous ladies in their Penny Dresses, so be sure to stop by their blogs and give them some love! Thank you so much, Bettina and Fleurine, for organizing this tour!

22 comments:

You look super pretty! I am surprised that you don't think it's your style. Somehow, I always was under the impression that you have very feminine style. I think it's a type of dress that's perfect for every ocassion, not too dressy and comfy to go to the playground, but also dressy enough to go to a school meeting of a out on a date! 💙💙

Thanks, Olga! I guess my style is borderline feminine, but I never really pictured myself as the circle skirt type, haha. Your description is perfect - I like that it's not too dressy yet still comfy ;)

Thanks so much, Marieke! I love that you appreciate my awkwardness, LOL!! I don't think I will ever feel completely comfortable in front of the camera. Good thing I'm usually the one taking the pictures!

Sisters are people sent from hell to keep us busy. I guess your sis would like mine. You do have great style, no question! I like Penny on you. Yes, it looks a bit too relaxed, but hey, that's the Japanese style, isn't it? I love your pics as well. So different with the slightly Asian background. Glad you joined us on the tour, looking forward for the next project <3

Emi, first of all: you have great style! Anybody, who's saying different is so wrong!Second: you look so lovely in this dress! And as Bettina said: The relaxed look is the Japanese style, it has to be like that! I'm so glad I got to know you, you're so inspiring and such a darling person!

You look so fresh and unbelievably sweet in this. The blue is perfect and the length suits you so much! I love the twirl happening there and you would make an adorable wife standign in the kitchen dress like that though I'm not sure how much of this "Good Hosewide guide" you would follow LOL https://www.littlethings.com/1950s-good-housewife-guide/

Hahaha, I don't think I would have made a good housewife at all! Just ask my husband ;) And I'm glad you like the length - I am going around telling myself that this "tea length" works when I call it that, hee hee.

Ha, a debate on style, heh? Loose-fitting comfortable clothes is totally a style! And this is a lovely deviation from it Emi :) You do look so feminine :) Love this dress on you. Your girlies did a great job taking pics of you!I hope you will enjoy wearing this dress :)

"Holding a giant turkey." I'm dying hahahahaha you are hilarious Emi. You look absolutely gorgeous Emi and of course you can pull this off. And way to go to your daughters for taking these photos, wow!

Haha, I'm so glad I could make you laugh, Mie. And see? You can totally picture me holding a giant turkey, right? And thanks - they are getting better at picture-taking, aren't they! I'll let them know :)